Who is Eligible for Hospice

• Patients referred to hospice when life expectancy is approximately six months benefit most from hospice care.  While patients must have a doctor's referral to enter hospice, the patient, family and friends can initiate the process by contacting a local hospice program.
  
  
• Patients can receive hospice care for 2 periods of 90 days and an unlimited number of 60 day periods. The hospice medical director must recertify the patient to receive hospice care for each subsequent period.
  
  
• If a patient's life expectancy exceeds the six month period(s), hospice care can still be provided as long as he or she is recertified as having a terminal illness.
  
  
• Before providing care, hospice staff meets with the patient's personal physician(s) and a hospice physician to discuss patient history, current physical symptoms and life expectancy. 
  
  
• After an initial meeting with physicians, hospice staff meets with both the patient and their family. They discuss the hospice philosophy, available services and expectations. 
  
  
• The patient or the patient's legal guardian must sign a statement stating that he or she elects the hospice benefit and waive all rights to Medicare payments for services for the terminal illness and related conditions. The patient will continue to receive Medicare benefits that are not related to their terminal illness.
  
  
• Prior to service, staff and patients also discuss pain and comfort levels, support systems, financial and insurance resources, medications and equipment needs. 
  
  
• A "plan of care" is developed for the patient. This plan is regularly reviewed and revised according to the patient's condition. 
  
  
• Bereavement services and counseling are typically available to loved ones for a year after the patient's death.